As tensions in the Middle East remain extremely volatile following Israel's retaliatory strikes on military targets in Iran, the United States has cautioned Tehran against any plans for retaliation. The Pentagon stated that Saturday's Israeli strikes are intended to mark the conclusion of hostilities between the two nations.
"Iran should not make the mistake of responding to Israel's strikes, which should mark the end of this exchange," US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
The US President Joe Biden said that he hopes strikes on Iran will mark the end of a months-long cycle of escalation. “I hope this is the end,” he told reporters on Saturday. Meanwhile, Iran appeared to downplay the attack, saying that it has responsibilities towards regional peace and security.
ISRAEL'S ATTACK ON IRAN | TOP DEVELOPMENTS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel selected its targets in Iran based on national interests, not based on American dictates. His remarks were in response to media reports claiming that Israel had refrained from striking Iranian gas and oil facilities due to US pressure. "This is how it was, and this is how it will be." his office said.
According to experts assessing, satellite images showed that Israeli airstrikes hit buildings that Iran used for mixing solid fuel for ballistic missiles. A former UN weapons inspector said that Israel struck Parchin, a massive military complex near Tehran, also noting that the strikes may have "significantly hampered Iran's ability to mass produce missiles".
Following the attack, several high-level meetings were held in Tehran to determine the scope of Iran's response. Tehran appeared to downplay the attack, saying the damage was "very minimal" but added that several Revolutionary Guards bases in and around Tehran were also hit.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a statement, warned against future attacks, saying, “...these brave people are standing fearlessly in defence of their land and will respond to any stupidity with tact and intelligence". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran has "no limits" when it comes to defending its interests.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army eased certain safety restrictions for residents in northern Israel, suggesting it does not anticipate an immediate large-scale attack from Iran or its regional proxies.
The Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, Hezbollah, warned the residents of more than two dozen Israeli "settlements" to immediately evacuate. The group, in a video warning, said they had become legitimate targets because it said Israeli troops were stationed there.
Iran's mission to the United Nations claimed that Israeli warplanes attacked Iran via Iraqi airspace, accusing the United States of complicity in the operation. "Iraqi airspace is under the occupation, command and control of the US military. Conclusion: The US complicity in this crime is certain," the Iran UN mission tweeted.
US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump briefly mentioned Israel’s airstrikes during their campaigns. “Israel is attacking -- we’ve got a war going on and she’s out partying,” Trump said, while Harris called for “de-escalation and not an escalation of activities in that region”.
Israel continued to pound northern Gaza and at least 30 were killed in fresh strikes. Meanwhile, the forces withdrew from a hospital complex in northern Gaza, a day after storming it.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 2,600 people have been killed and 12,200 wounded in the past one year. Meanwhile, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
